Apparatus for setting up boxes



Jan. 8, 1952 w. F. LlNs-rEDT APPARATUS FOR SETTING-UP BOXES 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed NOV. 26, 1945 SWN Jan. 8, 1952 w. F. UNSTEDT 2,581,491

APPARATUS FOR SETTINGUP BOXES Filed NOV. 26, 1945 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 99%/ fwfm @i Jan. 8, 1952 w. F. LlNsTEDT APPARATUS FOR SETTING-UP BoxEs 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed NOV. 26, 1943 Jan- 8, 1952 w. F. LINSTEDT 2,581,491

APPARATUS FOR SETTING-UP BOXES Filed Nov. 26, 1945 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 af A75 f4] I um... f5 j 4M 2 90 Jan. 8,1952 w. F. LlNsTl-:DT

APPARATUS FOR SETTING-UP` BOXES 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. 26, 1943 Rv NAV/ Jan. 8, 1952 w. F. LlNsTEDT 2,581,491

APPARATUS FOR SETTING-UP BOXES Filed Nov, 26, 1945 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 @gw/ m MMW/ Jan. 8, 1952 w. F. LlNsTEDT APPARATUS FOR SETTING-@BOXES 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Nov. 26, 1943 Jan. 8, 1952 w. F. LlNsTEDT APPARATUS FOR `SETTING-UP BOXES 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Novv 26, 1943 Jan- 8, 1952 w. F. I lNsTEDT APPARATUS FOR SETTING-UR BOXES 9 sheets-sheet 19 Filed Nov. 26, 1943 Patented Jan. 8, 1952 UNITED STATES PAT ENT OFFICE APPARATUS FRSETTING UP BOXES William F. Linsftedt.. Freeport, 111.., assignor to` Kraft Foods, Gompany, `a corporation of Dela- Application November 26, 1943, Serial No. 511,811;

6 claims.

Thisv invention relates to an improvement in` apparatus for setting=` upboxes, and ithasparticular reference to apparatus for settingup. and

provided with suitable scoresV or fold! lines, to4

facilitate folding of the strip at predetermined places. to form the, same intoa` tubular boxwall structure, in which condition it may beinserted into the-open or unfolded tray.

The main `objects of the invention are to pro,- vide a simple but eicient and durable apparatus for folding ofV box` wall forming strips into tubular box wall form;` to, provide apparatus for opening or unfolding prefabricated tray ele: ments; to.` provide meansA for inserting the tubli` larbox Wall element into the unfolded tray.;` and to provide means for feeding the assembled wall and tray elements to other apparatus for performing other operationson the box.

Other objects, andadvantages of the invention will be understood by, reference to the following specication and accompanying drawings (9 sheets) wherein thereV is disclosed a selected formof apparatus, for accon'iplishing` the above statedlobjects.

Inthe drawings, Fig. 1 is.` an end elevation; Fig. 2, isa side elevation looking at the rightf handA side of the apparatus as illustrated in Fig. 1;,Fig. Bisaplan; Fig. 4 4 is a section on the line 4 4 ofFig. 1; Fig. 5 is asection on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1; Figs. 6 and 7 are sections respectively on the lines 6--5 and 1 -'lof Fig. 5; Fig. 8 is a sectionon the line 8-8 of Figs. 2 and 3,; Fig. 9 isasection on the line` 9,-9 of Fig. 3; Figs. 10 and 11 are sections corresponding to Fig. 9, but showing changed positions of the parts illustrated; Figs. 12 and 13 are sections respectively onthe lines |2--I2 and I3.-I3 of Fig. 2,; Figs. 14, 15 and 16` are sections respectively on the lines I4--l4,` [5e-l5 and lB-IB of FigJl; Fig. 17 is a fragmentary section on the line lT-I'I of` Fig. 12; Fig.,18 is a fragmentary perspective illus.- trating certain details and principles of operation, and Fig. 19 is a perspective illustrating the completed` box structureY delivered by the appan ratus.

The bOX structure assembled by the illustrated apparatus isbest shown in Figs. 1B and It consists ofv a tray 25 and a tubular side 19. wall element 2b. The tray Zis prefabricated to a collapsed condition in which it is illustrated in Fig. 18 at 25-C. As` there indicated, the colf, 'lapsed tray comprises a bottom wall 2?! (the boxf is assembled in inverted position so that thewall 2l ultimately becomes the bottom of the box).`

side Wall flanges` 28-28 folded inwardly under the bottom wall 2l, and end Walls 2li- 29, which are folded along diagonal lines 30, incidentlto outward folding of the end walls,` and inward, folding of the side walls. By; the apparatus.

about to be described, the collapsed tray125-C is` opened up or unfolded, to formit into anV inverted tray, asrepresented` at 2ET in Figure 18.

The tubular side wall element 26" is delivered to the apparatusin the form of an elongated strip or blank 2B-B (Fig. 18) provided with fold lines 3|-, 32" and 33, extending across the width of the blank. In one commercial` embodiment of a container of the character illustrated, the

wall body,` blank 26,-13` is formed of paper board approximately 1/6 thick. In` that instance, the

fold lines 32 are formed by slitting slightly more than half Way through the thickness,` of the blank. Any suitable form of folding lines may,

of course, be employed. At one end of thelblank- 26-B, there maybe provided a recessto form a shoulder illu against which to seat the opposite end ofthe blank when folded into tubular form,

f 31. The plate 31 is rigidly secured to the corner but this particular corner formation is without importance so far as the function andoperation ofthe disclosed apparatus is concerned.

When the elongated `blank 26B isffolded into tubular form, as indicated at 2li-T (Figure 18) it is next inserted into the distended tray. `25.-'1' to fornithe inverted box structure shown inFig. 19. The apparatus comprises a main frame structure, the various parts of which are designated F,` upon which the various` operating` mechanisms aremounted. As shown in Fig. 1, there is provided a `rack or hopper for supporting a stack of horizontally disposed side wall blanks ZEi-B., The rack comprises angle ironlike corner members 35 and forward guide or stop members 36 (see also Fig. 3). The blanks ZS-B are maintained in stacked relation by-said guide members, the lowermost blank beingsupf ported by a normally stationaryl plate member members 35-35, and it may also be supported by attachment` tothe upper ends of a pair of arcuate guides A38-38, which extend upwardly from the arms 39--39 which branch outwardly from a pair of cross members 49-46. The cross members 40-40 are mounted on conveniently accessible frame portions, as will be understood by reference to Figs. 3 and 5.

The lowermost blank 26-B in the stack is fed from the bottom of the stack along the arcuate guides 38 to a more or less vertically disposed position preparatory to the operation of mechanisrn for folding the blank to thetubular form explained. The blank-feeding mechanism comprises a pair of feeder plates 4l, each of which embodies a bearing portion 42 slidably mounted on a normally fixed guide rod 43, which extends rearwardly, or outwardly, from the bottom of the plate 31. The feeder plates 4l are reciprocated by means of a pair of arms 44, which have their upper ends respectively connected to the feeder plates by suitable means such as pin and slot connections, such as indicated at 45 in Fig. 1. The lower ends of the arms 44 are keyed or pinned to a shaft 46, which is journalled in suitable bearings such as 41, carried by conveniently accessible frame parts F.

The shaft 45 is rocked by means of a cam 48, carried by a cam shaft 49, suitably journalled in bearings carried by the supporting frame, as shown in Fig. 4. The cam shaft 49 is continuously rotated by suitable driving connection indicated atv 50, to a source of power which is not illustrated. The cam 48 acts on the rollers 5|-A and 5l-B, respectively, carried by the forked end of the lever 52, the other end of which is secured to the rock shaft 46. The cam is so shaped that it does not maintain constant operative engagement with both of the rollers 5I-A and 5l-B; it is so shaped that inward and outward movement of the blank feeding plates 4| will be positively effected, the cam acting against the roller 5l-A to effect outward movement, or retraction of the feeder plates 4l, and against the roller 5|-B to effect forward, or feeding movement of the said feeding plates 4I. As indicated in Fig. 1, the cam also serves, by its short period of simultaneous engagement with both rollers 5 I-A and 5 I-B, to determine the inner and outer extremes of movement of the feeder plates 4l. The cam 46 is, of course, properly shaped and timed to effect reciprocation of the feeder plates in the required timed relation to other operations, which will presently be described.

It will be seen that the feeder plates 4I are operative on their forward movement to engage the outermost edge of the lowermost blank 26-B, and to push it forwardly from under the stack of blanks. In Fig. 1, the feeder plates 4I are illustrated in an advance position, and the blank fed thereby is shown in its more or less vertical position at the lower ends of the arcuate guides 38. The blank, in its more or less vertical position, is designated 26-V. Upon outward movement of the feeder plates 4l, the stack of blanks will, of course, be lowered to the extent of the thickness of one blank, so that upon the next forward movement of the feeder plates, they will engage the then bottom blank to feed it forwardly, as described.

The blank 26-V is next acted upon by devices which fold it around a stationary skeleton mandrel comprising upright corner posts v53 which constitute the four cornersvof the skeleton mandrel. The upright members 53 are iixedly mounted on a frame member F, or supporting bar carried by the frame member. The blank 26V is initially delivered into the angular space formed between the curved guides 38, and the 4 adjacent upright members 53, and the blank is accurately positioned longitudinally with respect to the upright members 53 by means of side flanges or guides 54 which extend upwardly from the curved guides 38.

After the blank 26-13 is delivered to lthe position 26-V, as shown in broken lines in Figs. l, 8 and 18, it is folded around the mandrel posts 53 into the tubular form indicated at 2li-T in Fig. 18. The mechanism for effecting such folding comprises a pair of folder plates 55 and 56, respectively pivoted to the ends of a central plate or crosshead 51. rlhe folder plates are thus carried by the central plate 51, which is, in turn, mounted on and carried by an upstanding ear portion 58 of a horizontally slidably mounted bar 59. The bar 59 is horizontally, slidably supported on a pair of bars 60 (see Figs. 6 and '7) which are suitably secured to the undersides of the cross or frame members 411-49. Longitudinally extending guides 6I-6I are xedly mounted on the said bars 60-60 to guide the longitudinal sliding movement of the member 59, and they are suitably formed, as best shown in Fig. 7, to provide flange-like portions overlapping the upper margins of the slidable member 59, to hold it down.

At the beginning of the blank folding operation, the folders 55 and 55, and the end plate 51 are in a retracted position, substantially as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3, and the folders 55 and 56 are located in longitudinal alignment and in parallelism with the end plate 51. The folders are initially advanced in the aligned position illustrated (without effecting pivotal movement of the folders 55 and 56) until the blank 26-V is pressed by the central member 51, against the adjacent mandrel corner members 53. Such movement of the folders is effected by means of a pair of integrally connected rock arms 62 (see Figs. 1, 3, and 4) which are pivotally mounted at their lower ends on the shaft 46, and actuated by means of spring 83 connected to one of the arms 62 and a conveniently accessible frame portion as indicated in Fig. 1. The movement of the arms 62 is controlled by a cam 63, which acts against a roller 64, carried by an arm 65, which is also formed integrally with the arms 62, as best shown in Fig. 4. The upper ends of the arms 62 are connected by means of links 66 to a crosshead `61 which is pinned, or other- Wise securely fastened to a longitudinal slidable shaft 68. The shaft 68 is slidably supported in bearingposts 69 and 1U, formed integrally with the slide 59. Motion is transmitted from the slidable shaft 68 to the slide 59 and thence to the folders by means of a tension spring 1 I, which is connected at one end to a fitting 12, secured to the forward end of the shaft 68, and at its other end, to the upper end of the bearing post 69, as best shown in Fig. 6. The spring 1I is of such strength that during the initial movement.

of the folder plates, the spring will resist stretching so that the shaft 68 will not advance relative to the slide 59, but will move in unison therewith. However, it will be observed that when the blank is pressed against the mandrel members 53 and further advance movement of the slidable member 59 thereby prevented, the rock arms 62 may continue their forward movement so as to effect movement of the shaft 68 relative to the member 59. During such continued movement of the rock arms 62, the spring 1l will, of course, be stretched.

vThe movement of the slidable shaft l68 relaciteseer:

sides of the rectangular tube-like structure-il.`

lustrated: Such4 pivotal movement of 'the folders` is effected by means offA links 134-13, each of' which has its frontV ende pivoted, as= indicated, at

14, to one of the folders, and its rearendfpivA otally connected as indicated at-L- to earsfvvhich extend laterally from theshaft-carried fittingA 12.

Y It is preferred thatlockingV means be provided` for preventing premature yielding ofA thespring 115 and pivotal movement of" the folders 551 and` 50 relativeftothe-centralplate 51. For tlfiispur-y pose', there is provided-alatch` arm 18, which isl pivotedU as indicated `at- 113 on one off the lugs ex`` tending from the fitting 121 At its'` other end,

said latch` arm 16- is i provided with a locking dog.`

18; which is adapted to engage behind ai portionl ofthe upstanding bearing post 68` of the-slide member 59.` Latch 'fi'sprovided'with alaterallyv extending arm portion. 19, andwith aV rearwardly extending portion 80, which is approximately parallel to the main latch arm 16i A spring 8| connectedbetweenithe-latch arm portionlll and one of the-lugsof the end fitting 12, servesy to normally urge thelatchmember 'mintollccking position relative to thel bearing post 59. Toreleasel the latch at about thetimethat the central plate 5Tpresses the body blank against' the mandrei posts 53, there is provided a fixed pin 82, which projectsupwardly from oneof` the frame members40in such a position that it will engage the leading, curvedend of the latch arm portion 810to deflect the same in such a manner as to f' disengage the locking dog 18` from the bearing post 69.

The folder'plates 55`and 50 are provided with laterally outwardly extending ears 203, which carryV adjustable stop screws 204. The stop screws 204 are so arranged as to engageV the outer` edges of the frame members 40, to limit theblank folding `movement of the folders 55 and 55. 4B'ythis means, unnecessary inward bending of the side wall portions of the body blank will be relieved of excessive inwardly directed pres-A sure.

It will beA seen that the mechanism thus far described is operative tofold the blank ZE-B into U-shaped form about the mandrel corner posts. There remains to be folded, the endA portionof the blank between the fold line3| ofthe blank and' the adjacent `end thereof, to complete the `folding of theblankinto tubular form.

The folding ofthe blankV end po-rtionis effected by means ofv a folder plate 84, which is carried by one end of a pivoted arm 85. The arm 85 is lpivoted-on aY vertical pivot as indicated at 86, the said pivot 86 comprising a vertically disposed shaft' mounted in suitable bearings, car-` ried bythe frame of the mechanism. The shaft 864 (and hence the folder 84) is rocked in properly timed relation to the previously described folding operations, by means of a spring and cam mechanism. In this instance, the cam comprises a disc cam 0"!" carried by the cam shaft 49, and a cam following roller 88 carried bya rod89. The rod 89 has one end forked to embrace the cam shaft 49 and its other end slidably mounted in a bearing bracket 80,` carried by an adjacent partV of the frame F.` A compression spring 9| placed arounda part of the rod 89 and between its bearing 90and a collar 92 secured to the rod, serves to normally hold the follower 88 in operativel engagement withthecam: Movement of'K the rod 89 istransmittedlthrough a link 93toa crankr arm 94, which is secured tothe vertical shaft-if (see Fig. 41). i l The end folder 84is illustrated in its starting position in Figs; 1, 2 and 3, and in the other extreme of its movement in Figs. 5, 8 and 18.

The cams which control the operations of the folding members for folding the blankr 26-Bintor the body'tube 28-T are so designed that they.` will remain in their advanced positions fora short interval, tofthereby hold the blank in the form of a tube whileiit is ejected in an upward direction from within the folder plates. Upon being ejected upwardly, the tubular bodyl enters an inverted opened, or unfolded, tray, as already explained. The mechanism for feeding and distending the trays will now be described. l

The collapsed trays are delivered to the machine in stacks, and the stack is placed-in ver,

tical position in a hopper or rack comprising a pair of vertically disposed angleiron-like members .9E-95. fromsuitablertable plates 98 and 91" (see Fig. 1), which are suitably mounted on stationary frame parts or brackets carried thereby. The angle members v--95 co-operateiwith the pointed ends of the collapsed tray blanks tohold the saine ini vertically stacked position, the trays being. arranged with their collapsedside walls folded un-` der the: bottom panel ofthe tray.

The lowermostcollapsed tray 21 is rfed laterally; with one of its long side edges as the leading edge, from underneath the stack and into thezone of operation of mechanism for distending such tray. As indicated at 98 (Fig. 2) the front wall of each angle member 95 is recessed to permit the lowermost tray to slide outwardly under said forward wall.

The means `for advancing the lowermosttray 21 is best shown in Figs. 2, 3, 9 and 18. It com` prisesa pusher member 99 in theform of a resilient sheet metal plate. mounted on a horizontallyV movable bar |09, andthe front end portion of said member is` preferablyfcurved upwardly, as shown. The bar or rod |00 is horizontally, slidably mounted in a suit-l able supporting bracket |0|, which is `ixedlyA mounted on the frame of the apparatus. ciprocating movement is imparted to and con#` trolled by a spring |02and a camfl, the` carni |03 being secured to the cam 'shaftda The spring- |02has one end connected to a-xed'frame` part or the like, and its other end connected to an arml |04, which isxsecuredtcza vertically dis. posed. shaftV |05; The shaft |05 is rotatably mounted in and supported by suitable bearings carried-` by the frame of the apparatus, and the upper end: ofv said shaft |05has secured to` itan arm |06, whichiis connected by a short link |01. tothe outer,` or rear, end of the rod. or bar |00. The-spring |02isupplies the force for advancing the rod |00 and the pusher 99, and the cam |03 acts to retract the pusher. The cam acts through acam` follower` |03, carried by` a rod |89; which has one end forked to embrace the cam shaft 49 for guidance thereby, and its other end slid ably mounted in a bearing ||0 carried bythe frameworkof the apparatus. The rod mais ccnnected by means of a link to anl arm` H21, which issecured to the shaft |05, so that upon movement of the cam follower |88 away from the center of rotationof the cam |03, the shaftl |05 will be rocked in the proper direction for retracting the tray feeding pusher 99.

Asbestshown in-Figs.` 9 and 10,- the tray feed rThe i members 95 extend upwardly The member 99visv Yvertical movement of the presser plate H5.

ing pusher 99 is so arranged that its leading end will enter between the bottom panel 21, and the forward side wall 28 of the tray, and engage the same in the corner formed by the said parts. The upwardly Vcurved leading end portion of the pusher 99, together with the normal tendency of the collapsed tray sides to spring open, substantially as indicated in the drawings, facilitate the entrance of the pusher into the tray corner area indicated. To permit the leading side wall 28 of the tray to spring open, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the supporting plates 96 and 91 are cut away, as indicated at H3, so that the side walls are supported only at very short end portions thereof.

, In Fig. 9, the tray feeding member 99 is illustrated in its most advanced position in which 1t has delivered one of the collapsed trays into position against a pair of hook-like stop members I4 (see also Fig. 8). The hook-like formation of lsaid stop members serves to prevent the forward edge of the tray 25-C from sliding upwardly, until such time as a vertical movable presser plate, or holding member, is lowered into operative relation to the tray d-elivered into position against the stops H4. The feeding member 99 is retracted very quickly after having completed its operative movement, and the above mentioned presser plate, -or holding member, is lowered together with means for holding the tray against rearward movement with the -feed member 99.

The vertically movable presser plate, or holding member, comprises a plate H5 which is vertically, slidably mounted by means of a post IE5 extending upwardly from the plate, and a suitable bearing in a bracket arm H1, which slidably receives said post. Vertical movement of the presser plate H5 is effected through a rock arm |8, pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on a shaft H9, and connected at one end by means of a link to the presser plate. The arm |8 is secured to the shaft I9, which is suitably journalled in the bearing brackets carried by the frame structure. `Another arm |2l is secured to said shaft H9, and is conn-ected by means of a long link |22 to spring and cam means for rocking said shaft H9, to thereby effect the As best shown in Figs. 2 and 14, a tension spring |23 is stretched between a fixed part of the frame structure and a pin |24 secured to the link |22. Said spring normally tends to effect upward movement of the link |22, and downward movement of the presser plate H5. The lower end of the link |22 is provided with a bifurcated portion which straddles the cam shaft 49 for guidance purposes, and the lower end of the link provided with a roller |25, which engages the periphery of a rotary cam |26, carried by said cam shaft 49. The cam serves to effect downward movement of the link |22 and upward movement of the presser plate I I5.

The presser plate H5 is provided at its rear edge with a pair of depending fingers or ears |21 (Figs. 3, 9 and 10) which engage the rear edge of the advanced tray to prevent such tray from following the feed member 99 in its rearward movement.

As soon as the feed member 99 is fully retracted (to the position shown in Fig. 10), the tray automatically opens up to a limited extent. substantially as illustrated in Fig. 10, due to the inherent resiliency of the paper board material of which thel tray is made. The tray is initially I4, except that the hook-forming portion above,

the shoulder |28 is omitted.

Unfolding, or opening, of the tray is effected mainly by the provision of means for applying inwardly directed pressure against the end portions of the collapsedtray. Such means is .best shown in Figs. 3, 8 and 9. It consists of a paix` of horizontally, slidably mounted, angle members |3| and |32, which are respectively secured to the inner ends of suitable bars |33 and |34. The bars |33 and |34 are suitably, slidably mounted in ways provided in the frame structure F, or in proper brackets provided for that purpose. The angle members |3| and |32 are moved towards each other, into engagement with the respectively adjacent pointed ends of the collapsed tray, and their movement is continued inwardly until the folded ends of the trays and the folded sides of the trays are substantially fully unfolded to a perpendicular position relative to the bottom wall of the inverted tray.

The inward movement of the squeeze members |3I and |32 is effected and controlled by suitable spring and cam operating mechanism. As herein shown, such operating mechanism comprises a cam |35 carried by the cam shaft 49, and a cam follower |35 carried by a rod |31, which has one end forked to embrace a portion of the cam shaft 49 for guiding purposes, and its other end slidably mounted in a suitable bearing |38 carriedv by the frame of the apparatus. A suitable compression spring |39, disposed around a portion of the rod |31 may be provided for resisting outward movement of the rod |31 by the cam |35. Movement imparted to the rod |31 by the cam |35 and by the spring |39 is transmitted through a link |40 and an arm |4| to a vertically extending shaft |42, which is supported and journalledV in suitable bearings carried by the frame. The upper end of the shaft |42 (see Figs. 2 and 3) has secured to it an arm |43, the outer end of which is, in turn, connected by a link |44 to an arm |45 of a bell crank lever, the other arm of which is shown at |45. The b-ell crank comprising'the arms |45 and |46 is suitably,lpivotally mounted as indicated at |41, for horizontal rocking movement. The free end of the bell crank arm |45 is connected by a suitable pin and slot connection to the slidable bar |34, which carries the squeezing angle |32. The free end of the bell crank arm |45 is pivotally connected, as shown at |48, to the adjacent end of another bell crank, comprising `the arms |49 and |50, such other bell crank being pivotally mounted for horizontal rocking movement, as indicated at |5|. The free end of the bell crank arm |50 is, in turn, operatively connected as shown at |52 to the slidable rod or bar |33, which carries the other squeezing angle I3! It will be seen that the cam |35 is operative to effect outward movement of the bars |33` and |34 and their respective squeezing heads |3| and |32, and that the spring |39 effects the operative, or squeezing movement, of said heads. i

Because of the fact that the side and end walls of the tray are integrally connected, and because of the diagonal folding of the end walls in their collapsed condition, inward pressure directed against the folded ends of the tray will automat- .ically .effect opening, .or unfolding, of .the tray. Such unfolding is somewhat assisted by themechanism which will now be described, and ywhich serves the further purpose of facilitating insertion ofthe tubular body into vthe tray.

The pairs .of tray-supporting lingers or members H4 and |56 are respectively carried by the bars .|53 and |55, which are journalled at `their ends in bearings provided in lugs or brackets, such as indicated at |55, which depend from adjacent frame or frames supported portions. `Said bars also each carry plate or spade members |56 `and |51, each of which have inturned end -anges |58. Near the upper ends of the spades |56 and |51, there are provided outwardlyextending shelf members |59, the latter being 'rigidly `secured to the respective spades.

At `about .the .time that.the squeezing members 3| and |32 begin their inward oroperativemovcment, or shortly thereafter, thespades v|55 and |51 are caused to rock upwardly and` outwardly so that the upper end portions ,thereof enter between the adjacentfree edges ofthe side walls 28 Aof the tray, and eiect agspreading operation :to thereby assist the opening thereof. The free edges of the tray sides 23-25 also engage the .respective shelves |59 at the junction thereof `with the spades, so that said `edges of the tray may not move downwardly but. instead must move upwardly as an incidentto the upward and outward rockingmovement of the spades. :Such upward movement ofthe traysidesalso necessitates upward movement of the tray bottom `2.1. Accordingly, the presser plate H5 is .caused `to move upwardly in conformity with the required upward l `movement ofthe tray. The upward movement 4of the presser plate i5 .is controlled by the cam |26, which has hereinbefore been described, said cam being, of course, properly shaped to produce the required movement ofthe presser plate.

`It will be seen by examination of Figs. 8 andi) that the tray squeezing members 3| and |32 have upward extensions |56 and |6| respectively, which present substantially flat inner faces, ofiset inwardly somewhat from `the innermost sur- Vfaces `of the angle squeezing portions il 3| and |32.

rDuring the movement of .the .tray upwardly, l.as

above explained, the end wall portions `adjacent `the ends of thebottom will, of course, ineect,

rock upwardly and come to rest against said flat inner surfaces |59 and |5l, substantially as is indicated in Fig. 12. Hence, it will be seen that the nal portion ofthe squeezing operation is eiected, not by the `angular squeezers i3! and |32, but by the flat upper portions `|55 `and 16| of thesqueezing heads. `Such at surfaces |50 sand |5| insure unfolding of the ends of the tray `to substantially dat condition, which might `not be true .in the event that the spaced points ol? contact were employed, as `would result from the use of angle pushers such as I3 'and :132, for the entire unfolding operation.

Rocking movement is imparted to the rods or `shafts |53 and |54 `and theparts carried thereby, by mechanism best shown in'Figs. 2, 8 and 13. As shown in these ilgures, the rods |54 and |53, at one end, have vsecured thereto intermeshing gear segments |52 and |63 respectively. The gear segment 62 is provided with an arm |54 to which is connected one end 0falink |65, the other end of which is connected to one Iend oi a rock lever |65. The rock lever |56 is Vpiv oted intermediate its ends, as shown 'at I5?, on .a suitable bracket |56, mounted on the frame, and the other end `of `said rock `lever .carries la vil) . |51 from their `nnal outward, or spread position, `as shown in Fig. `1l, to `theirinitial, or beginning position, asshown in Figs. 9 and 10. The cam serves to effect the operative Amovement of `the spades, i. e. :the movement thereof `from the initial position, Ias shown in Figs. 9 and l0, to their open, or spread, position, as shown `in Fie. 11.

`As `best shown in Fig. 11, the outermost position of the spades |55 and |51 is such `that the side walls of the tray are distended slightly beyond their normal position relative to the .bottom of the tray, thereby to facilitate insertion of fthetubularside `wall .structure 26-T. Itlwill also be observed by inspection of Fig. l1, that .the said `spades |56 .and |51 constitute, in eiect.

`a funnel for guiding the insertion of the side .movement of the .side wall tube 26-T is initiated, and `continued until the tube reaches the fully inserted position as shown in Fig. 11.

For the purpose of moving the side wall tube 26-T1from `its-position around the mandrel .corners 53, upwardly into the distended tray, there :is @provided an elevator comprising (see Figs. 1,

2, 5, 9 and .11) asubstantially rectangular frame `embodying a .top bar |12, side or end bars |'13-|.13, depending from the ends of said top bar |12, and a bottom bar |14, connecting the lower endsof saidbars |13. The side members `|13---I13 may be vertically slidably mounted in suitableguides carried by `the respectively adjacent pairs of corners posts 53 ofthe skeleton mandrel, and further, by means `of a pos-t |15 depending from the bottom member |14, and |16 `mounted on ltheframe of the apparatus. On .the top .bar |12,-there are mounted `pusher plates |11 'and |18, said plates `being appropriately `shaped to .provide end portions I-'EB'andside .por-

:tions |80, which extend beneath the edges of the side wall tube when .formed around the mandrel posts 53 (see particularly Fig. 5).

Upward movement of the elevator structure just described, is effected by means of a cam |8| carried bythe cam shaft 49. Said cam 'acts `againsta roller |82, carried by :a rock lever |83,

which is -pivoted at one end Aas shown at 184,'on a -conveniently located part of the frame, and has its other end connected through a link to a portionof the elevator post |15. `The cam 8| is, of course,tappropriately shaped to `eiect the required upward movement fof the elevator plates |11 `and |18, `to Yforce the tube structure 26-T upwardly from the mandrel posts 53, :between the opened spades `|56 and |51, and `into the distended tray 25-T, as shown in Fig. 11. The upward movement of theelevator structure Vis continued, together with corresponding Vupward .movement :of the presser `.plate H5, `to comsecured to a vertically disposed shaft ll pletely eject the tray with its inserted side Wall structure from the spades |55 and |51. The lowermost edge of the ejected tray and sidewall structure will be located at |88 (Fig. 11) so that only a narrow lower portion of the tubular wall structure remains between the flat upper portions |69 and I6! of the squeezing heads, which may then constitute guides for subsequent laterally from a bar, or rod |88, which is horizontally, longitudinally slidably mounted in suitable guides or brackets |89 and |99, which ex- `tend upwardly from adjacent frame portions.

The guides for the bar |88 may be formed in the same post which provides bearings for the shaft Reciprocating movement is imparted to the bar |98 and the pusher |81 in properly timed relation to the other operations of the mechanism, by a cam ISE (see Fig. 4) carried by the cam shaft 49. Said cam acts against a roller |92, carried by a bar |93, which has one end forked to embrace the cam shaft 45 for support and guidance thereby, and its other end slidably mounted in a bearing |94 carried by the frame structure. 'Ihe cam actuated bar |93 is connected by a link |95 to an arm |96, whiclligis mounted for rocking movement in suitable bearings extending from portions of the frame. Another arm |93 is secured to said shaft |91, and has connected to its free end a tension Yspring |99, the other end of which spring is suitably anchored to a relatively stationary part of the mechanism. The spring |99 serves to yieldingly hold the cam follower |92 in engagement with the periphery of the cam |9|. At the upper end of the shaft |91, there isV secured a rock arm D, the free end of which is connected by means of a link 28| to the slide bar |88.

It will be seen that the cam |9| will be operative through the described connections to the pusher b ar IBL-|88, to effect forward, or feeding movement of the bar |31, and that the spring |99 will insure return movement of the parts as permitted by the cam. The extent of feed movement imparted to the feed bar |81 may, of course, be made to suit the required conditions of the installation ofthe apparatus.

In order to prevent the various spring forces which act against the cams carried by the cam shaft 49, from effecting turning movement ofthe cams and shaft, and to cause the apparatus to remain stationary in any position which may be desired for adjusting, or other purposes, a brake of any suitable construction may be applied to the cam shaft. Such a brake is represented at 202 in Figs. 2 and Ll. The brake may be of a type to exert a constant holding force on the shaft, or it may be an adjustable brake which may be manually, or otherwise applied when the power for operating the machine is shut off.

Various changes in the described structure may be made while retaining the gener-al features and principles involved, wherefore the Scope of the invention should not be considered limited to `the specic details of apparatus disclosed, but

should be determined by reference to the following claims.

I claim: Y

1. Box making apparatus of the class described, comprising a vertically disposed mandrel, means for delivering a box section blank into a vertical position adjacent a portion of said mandrel, means embodying a slidable member and a transverse end plate for pressing an intermediate portion of said box blank into engagement with the adjacent portion of said mandrel, folding plates hingeably connected to the opposite sides of said end plate for folding opposite portions of said blank over the opposite sides of said mandrel, means for actuating said folders comprising an element slidably mounted on said slidable member for movement relative thereto, links connecting said folders to said slidable element, means for imparting movement to said slidable element, spring means connecting said slidable element and said slidable member so as to initially transmit the movement imparted to said element to said member and end plate, whereby said member and end plate are advanced to press the blank against the mandrel and said spring means serves to permit continuation of the movement of said element independent of movement of said member, to thereby .actuate said folders after the blank is pressed against the mandrel.

2. Box making apparatus of the class described, comprising a vertically disposed mandrel, means for delivering a box section blank into a vertical position adjacent a portion of said mandrel, means embodying a slidable member and a transverse end plate for pressing an intermediate portion of said box blank into engagement with the adjacent portion of said mandrel, folding plates hingeably connected to the opposite sides of said end plate for folding opposite portions of said blank over the opposite sides of said mandrel, means for actuating said folders comprising an element slidably mounted on said slidable member for movement relative thereto, links connecting said folders to said slidable element, means for imparting movement to said slidable element, spring means connecting said slidable element and said slidable member so as to initially transmit the movement imparted to said element to said member and end plate, whereby said member and end plate are advanced to press the blank against the mandrel and said spring means serves to permit continuation of the movement of said element independent of movement of said member and end plate to thereby actuate said folders after the blank is pressed against the mandrel, means for locking said element to said member during the initial, simultaneous movement of said element and said member, and means for automatically diseng-aging said locking meanswhen said member and its cross plate reach a predetermined position relative to the box blank and mandrel.

3. In apparatus of the class described, a vertically disposed skeleton mandrel embodying corner posts defining the inside area of a box section, means for folding a box section blank hori- Zontally around said mandrel posts to form a tubular wall section, means disposed above said mandrel for receiving and unfolding, or opening, an inverted collapsed paper board tray which embodies a bottom wall, side and end walls foldably connected to the side and end edges of the bottom wall, one opposed pair of said walls being folded inwardly under the bottom of the section and the other pair of said walls being folded outwardly into approximately (3o-planar relation to said bottom and inwardly folded wall portions, the outwardly folded portions being also refolded upon themselves in continuation of the inward folding of the other wall portions, and elevator means operable within said skeleton mandrel and having portions underlying the lower edges of said tubular wall section, so as to be engageable therewith upon upward movement of said elevator means, and means for effecting upward movement of said elevating means to thereby elevate said tubular Wall section into assembled, telescopically interiitting relation to said inverted and unfolded tray.

4. Box making apparatus of the class described, comprising a magazine for supporting a stack of horizontally disposed box blanks, a normally stationary, vertically extending mandrel, blank feeding and guiding means for conducting said blanks in horizontal position and delivering the same to said mandrel in an upright, on-edge position, and means for folding the delivered blank horizontally around said mandrel.

5. Box making apparatus of the class described, comprising meansfor supporting a box section blank `in a substantially horizontal plane, guide means extending horizontally from said supporting means, said guide means having a downwardly turned delivery end portion, means for feeding the blank along said guide from its horizontally supported position to said downturned delivery end portion, thereby to turn said blank from its initial horizontal position to a more or less upright, on-edge position, means for stopping the downward movement of said blank on said downturned guide portion, and a normally stationary, vertically disposed mandrel adjacent the position of the stopped, upright blank, and means for pressing the blank against said mandrel and fold- 4 ing portions of the blank horizontally around said mandrel to form the blank into a box section.

6. Box making apparatus of the class described, comprising a normally vertically disposed mandrel, means for initially positioning an elongated box blank in an on-edge position with the length of the blank extending horizontally and a portion of the blank intermediate its ends disposed adjacent a part of said mandrel, blank supporting arms extending horizontally from points adjacent the ends of a blank on said positioning means to points adjacent parts of said mandrel which are remote from said blank positioning means, and means for pressing said intermediate portion of the blank against the adjacent portion of said mandrel and for folding the opposite end portions of the blank around the mandrel, said supporting arms serving to support the end portions of the blank during said folding thereof.

WILLIAM F. LINSTEDT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 566,823 Van Vleet et al. Sept. 1, 1896 639,354 Butler Dec. 19, 1899 836,399 Oesterreich Nov. 20, 1906 1,379,622 Grupe May 31, 1921 1,674,921 Robinson June 26, 1928 1,784,571 Bergstein Dec. 9, 1930 1,868,873 Bergstein July 26, 1932 1,995,455 Jahne Mar. 26, 1935 2,224,426 Cullan et al Dec. 10, 1940 2,282,160 Bischoff May 5, 1942 2,433,701 Linstedt Dec. 30, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 329,322 Germany Nov. 20, 1920 322,989 Great Britain Dec.. 19, 1929 495,613 Germany Apr. 15, 1930 

